Chapter 163

Chapter 166: Changes (Part 1)

Fifth Madam shook her head, "I'm fine."

"It's better to be cautious!" Second Madam said thoughtfully, "For now, hold on. Later, we'll find a way to request a special decree allowing you to rest at home." Her tone was calm, yet carried a convincing composure.

Such confidence—was it because they were certain to meet the Empress later?

Eleven Miss couldn't help but glance at Second Madam.

Fifth Madam, however, showed no doubt and gratefully took Second Madam's hand, "Thank you, Second Sister-in-law!"

"Why mention such things?" Second Madam patted her hand, "The child is a big deal."

As they spoke, most of the mourners had arrived. Many looked exhausted and sat down to rest, while others gathered in low conversations.

With the elder madam not present, Madam Huang, Lady Lin, and other senior women maintained their dignity, merely nodding at Eleven Miss and the others. As for the younger generation like Madam Huang and Lady Lin's daughters-in-law, they were busy attending to their elders and had no time for idle chatter.

For a moment, the Xu family seemed isolated.

Third Madam, standing nearby, let out a cold "hmph," but Second Madam whispered to Eleven Miss, "Keep an eye on the people from Marquis Jianning and Shouchang Bo's households. Find a way to keep them here. I'll be back soon!"

Among the four sisters-in-law, there was no hesitation in entrusting the task to her. This was not only due to her participation in the Xu family's high-level discussion the previous night but also because of Second Madam's strong confidence in Lord Xu's capabilities. Otherwise, Second Madam's attitude wouldn't have been so decisive. This made Eleven Miss realize that Second Madam had an extraordinary trust in Lord Xu.

Eleven Miss also believed in Lord Xu's abilities. So she straightforwardly said, "I think this is too risky. It would be safer if you took the opportunity to faint."

Second Madam was momentarily stunned.

Their gazes simultaneously fell on Fifth Madam.

Fifth Madam, feeling uneasy under their stares, asked in surprise, "What's wrong?"

Second Madam turned to Eleven Miss, "Good idea!" A hint of admiration flashed in her eyes.

Rather than Second Madam fainting, it would be better for Fifth Madam to faint. Firstly, as the Empress's sister-in-law, if something happened, the Empress would personally visit or send a trusted lady-in-waiting to care for her, providing an opportunity for a private conversation with the Empress. Secondly, in such a situation, requesting a special decree to exempt Fifth Madam from mourning would be more convincing.

It was a good plan, but Eleven Miss had no intention of discussing it with Fifth Madam herself. She recalled the scene where the Empress tearfully called Second Madam "Yizhen." Whether in terms of seniority or emotional connection, she was far behind Second Madam now.

Eleven Miss lowered her head, appearing indifferent to everything.

Second Madam frowned slightly.

The Luo family was like this—full of tricks when it came to scheming, but when it came to serious matters, they would dodge and shirk responsibility, afraid of getting involved.

A trace of mockery flashed in her eyes as she whispered to Fifth Madam for a while.

Fifth Madam only showed a hint of surprise at first, then remained composed as she spoke with Second Madam. Soon, she began clutching her stomach and moaning.

Second Madam, standing nearby, quickly asked, "Fifth Madam, Fifth Madam, what's wrong?"

Eleven Miss nodded inwardly.

Fifth Madam, who had risen above so many privileged women to be granted the title of County Princess, was indeed a figure not to be underestimated.

The thought crossed her mind as she walked over to Fifth Madam, "Fifth Sister-in-law, what's wrong?" Her voice was filled with concern.

Third Madam also gathered around, looking worried.

Madam Huang and others hurried over upon hearing the commotion, just in time to hear Fifth Madam weakly say, "I... I... my stomach hurts."

"Quickly, summon the imperial physician!" Madam Huang's face turned pale as she took Lady Dan of Danyang County's hand to comfort her, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid."

The room descended into chaos.

Everyone was talking over each other.

The eunuchs serving in the hall were also panicked; some went to inform the head eunuch, some went to inform the Ministry of Rites, and some ran to the Kunning Palace.

The news also reached the back hall, and Princess Fucheng Chang and others hurried over. Lady Zhou, who served at Princess Fucheng Chang's side, rushed to Lady Dan of Danyang County with her characteristic flair and cried out, "Lady Dan, please, don't scare me!"

Lady Dan of Danyang County immediately grabbed Lady Zhou's hand, "Lady Zhou, I'm scared!" Tears streamed down her face.

Eleven Miss couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Even with the experience of two lifetimes, she was still far behind these people...

Amid the noise and confusion, a group of eunuchs surrounded a eunuch in sixth-rank robes who came jogging over.

"Which lady is unwell?" He had a handsome face and a gentle voice.

"It's Lady Dan of Danyang County," Lady Zhou quickly interjected before the Xu family could respond.

Upon hearing this, the eunuch's face changed slightly, and he quickly said, "Stay calm, Lady Dan, the imperial physician is on his way." Then he turned and whispered to a young eunuch beside him, "Go and hurry them up!"

The young eunuch nodded and hurried off.

Lady Zhou then supported Lady Dan of Danyang County and shouted, "Quick, find a low couch for her to rest on."

No sooner had she spoken, Eunuch Lei hurried in, followed by a group of eunuchs carrying an empty sedan chair.

"By the Empress's decree, Lady Dan of Danyang County is to rest temporarily at Yongshou Palace."

Madam Huang immediately said, "I know a bit about medicine; I'll go with her."

Eunuch Lei didn't hesitate and immediately said, "We appreciate it, Madam Huang."

The eunuchs positioned the sedan chair before Lady Dan of Danyang County, and Madam Huang and Lady Zhou helped her into the sedan chair from both sides.

Lady Dan of Danyang County proved even more astute than Madam Huang and Eleven Miss had anticipated. She held onto Lady Zhou's hand tightly, "Lady Zhou..." her eyes filled with tears as she gazed at her.

Lady Zhou instinctively looked towards Princess Fucheng Chang.

Princess Fucheng Chang remained silent but gave a slight nod.

Lady Zhou immediately said, "Eunuch, may I..."

Before she could finish, Eunuch Lei urgently said, "Then join us. The Empress and the imperial physician are already on their way to Yongshou Palace."

Eleven Miss exhaled deeply. It was settled!

The thought flashed by as the sedan chair was lifted.

She hurried forward to advise, "Be careful, Lady Dan."

Lady Dan of Danyang County nodded and was escorted to Yongshou Palace by Madam Huang and Lady Zhou on either side.

The people in the room began to discuss fervently, and the hall became as lively as a marketplace.

Eleven Miss saw Princess Fucheng Chang glance at her with a faint smile, then she and several princesses and noble ladies went to the back hall.

No surprise, everyone here is a real pro!

Eleven Miss gave a bitter smile.

The third madam whispered next to her, "After all the calculations, who would have thought that something would happen to the fifth prince..." She seemed a bit dismissive.

Eleven Miss didn't feel like talking to her and responded vaguely, then turned to speak with Madam Huang.

After the morning's tears, the fifth madam, the second madam, and Lady Zhou returned to the main hall.

As soon as they entered, Lady Zhou said, "It's nothing, nothing, just a false alarm. It was just an upset stomach!"

Everyone looked towards the fifth madam. Madam Huang even said, "This girl, she should know better than to overdo it."

The fifth madam blushed slightly, "I was worried about getting hungry later since we had a late lunch, so I ate a bit more in the morning. Who knew it would..."

Everyone smiled.

The second madam then curtsied to several elderly madams, "We've caused everyone to worry."

The elderly madams looked at the second madam with kind smiles, "You kids are quite a handful."

The second madam quickly said, "Thankfully, we have the elderly madams here, or we'd be lost."

The elderly have plenty of experience.

The second madam's words were like trying to scratch an itch through a shoe, prompting the elderly madams to share their own child-rearing experiences, making the atmosphere very harmonious.

She's a real pro!

Eleven Miss held back her smile, observing the second madam's every move, carefully considering her intentions.

As the sun set in the west, Eunuch He delivered the emperor's decree, specially allowing the fifth madam to rest in the back hall during the mourning period—meaning Dan County still had to enter the palace daily, but she could stay in the main hall while others knelt at the Sishan Gate to mourn.

Now, it was the second madam's turn to act indifferent.

After all, she's the legitimate wife of the Yongping Marquis.

Eleven Miss smiled slightly and, along with the third madam, helped the fifth madam to thank the emperor.

Some came over to congratulate the fifth madam, though with envy, while others said sarcastically, "Isn't she the maternal family of the fifth prince? She's not even as good as us, the outside noblewomen."

Everyone followed the sound, which surprisingly came from the circle of Marquis Jianning and Lady Shouchang.

Everyone in the hall had different expressions but acted like they didn't hear.

The third madam couldn't help but whisper to Eleven Miss indignantly, "These people are all just fence-sitters."

When you represent a family, fence-sitters last longer than thorns.

"Forget it. Why waste time on these people!" Eleven Miss advised her, "What matters is that the fifth sister-in-law doesn't have to kneel at the Sishan Gate anymore."

The third madam nodded.

Eunuchs invited them to mourn.

Everyone stopped talking, and except for the fifth madam, all knelt in their respective places according to their rank and began to cry.

When the day's mourning ended, the eunuchs from Cining Palace escorted the elder madam over.

The Second Madam, Third Madam, and Eleventh Miss hurried forward to greet her.

The elder madam did not see the Fifth Madam, and her expression slightly changed: "Where is Dan Yang?"

Someone nearby said, "Your family's Fifth Madam has been exempted from mourning and is resting in the main hall!"

The Second Madam then recounted everything that had just happened to the elder madam.

The elder madam listened and forced a bitter smile: "How could such a thing happen!" Her gaze flickered as she looked at the Second Madam.

The Second Madam said, "Indeed. Not just you, even the Empress was taken aback when she heard."

She subtly mentioned to the elder madam that she had already met the Empress.

"We really should thank Lady Zhou," the elder madam's eyes suddenly brightened, and she nodded slightly at the Second Madam, indicating she understood, "We owe it to her for going with you to Yongshou Palace."

She then personally went to the back hall to express her gratitude, only to find that Lady Zhou had already accompanied Princess Fucheng Chang back to their residence. The elder madam then went to thank Madam Huang, who laughed and said, "No need to stand on ceremony with me." As they spoke, they both exited the Sishan Gate.

Lord Xu, along with the Third Young Master and Fifth Young Master, had been waiting outside the gate. Seeing the elder madam and her entourage, they stepped forward to pay their respects. The Fifth Young Master even asked the Fifth Madam, "Are you alright?"

Madam Huang then told the Xu brothers about the special decree the Fifth Madam had received today: "Tomorrow, we must go to thank the Emperor for his grace."

The Fifth Young Master nodded eagerly: "Of course, of course."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they each got into their carriages and departed the palace.